Lorenza Maggio Appointed New CEO of Brussels Airlines
The Lufthansa Group has appointed Lorenza Maggio (48) as the new Chief Executive Officer of Brussels Airlines, Belgium’s flag carrier, marking a significant leadership transition for the airline. Maggio, an Italian executive currently serving on the Board of Directors of ITA Airways as Chief Strategy and Integration Officer, will succeed Dorothea von Boxberg, who is leaving the company at her own request effective August 31, 2026.
The appointment, announced on July 16 by the Executive Board of Deutsche Lufthansa AG, remains subject to approval by the Board of Directors of SN Airholding, Brussels Airlines’ parent company. In addition to leading the Belgian carrier, Maggio will assume the newly created role of “Executive Board Representative to the European Commission,” signaling Lufthansa Group’s intent to strengthen its advocacy presence in the EU capital, according to the official press release.
A Seasoned Lufthansa Group Insider
Maggio brings extensive experience within the Lufthansa Group ecosystem. Since January 2025, she has been a member of the Board of Directors of ITA Airways, where she has overseen the Italian carrier’s integration into the Lufthansa Group as Chief Strategy and Integration Officer. Prior to that, she served as Vice President Sales, managing sales for the group’s network airlines across Europe (excluding home markets), the Middle East, and Africa.
Her career also includes responsibility for brand and customer strategy at Eurowings and a tenure as Managing Director of a subsidiary of the LSG Group. As VRT NWS reported, Maggio’s deep familiarity with the Lufthansa Group’s operations positions her well to lead Brussels Airlines as an integrated hub carrier.
Dieter Vranckx, Chairman of the Board of Directors of SN Airholding and Chief Commercial Officer of the Lufthansa Group, praised the appointment: “Lorenza Maggio is a highly accomplished and internationally experienced airline executive. She knows the industry and our group from various leadership positions at different companies. With her proven expertise, she will lead Brussels Airlines as an integrated hub airline within the Lufthansa Group.”
Leadership Transition at Brussels Airlines
The outgoing CEO, Dorothea von Boxberg, has led Brussels Airlines since March 2023, succeeding Peter Gerber. A German national and former Chairperson of Lufthansa Cargo AG’s Executive Board, von Boxberg began her career at Boston Consulting Group in 1999 before joining the Lufthansa Group in 2007. Her departure marks yet another leadership change at the Belgian carrier, which has seen frequent CEO turnover — von Boxberg was the fifth CEO since early 2018.
Vranckx expressed gratitude for von Boxberg’s service, noting, “I am particularly pleased that we were able to appoint a successor from within our own ranks, following Dorothea von Boxberg, whom I wish to thank sincerely for her many years of successful service to the Lufthansa Group.”
Strategic Significance
Maggio’s appointment carries several strategic implications for both Brussels Airlines and the broader Lufthansa Group. As AeroTime noted, her firsthand experience integrating ITA Airways into the Lufthansa Group is directly relevant to her new role, as Brussels Airlines itself operates as an integrated network carrier within the same group structure.
The timing is notable: Vranckx himself was recently appointed in June 2026 as chairman of three Lufthansa Group airlines — Brussels Airlines, Swiss, and Austrian Airlines — as part of a broader reorganization aimed at creating greater synergy across the group’s subsidiaries while maintaining their national identities, as Newmobility.news reported.
The new “Executive Board Representative to the European Commission” role also suggests that Lufthansa Group is leveraging Brussels Airlines’ location in the heart of the EU capital to strengthen its engagement with European policymakers on aviation regulation, sustainability, and competition issues.
What Lies Ahead
The exact date for Maggio’s transition from Rome to Brussels has yet to be determined. Once in place, she will take the helm of an airline that employs more than 3,500 people, operates a fleet of 46 aircraft, and connects Brussels Airport to over 90 destinations worldwide, including 18 in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Brussels Airlines has been undergoing a fleet modernization program, having taken delivery of eight new Airbus A320neo aircraft between November 2023 and June 2026, significantly reducing fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions. The airline has also been active in environmental initiatives, including participation in the Stargate project and becoming the first carrier to transport Sustainable Aviation Fuel via the CEPS pipeline to Brussels Airport.
Maggio’s appointment signals Lufthansa Group’s confidence in internal talent development and its commitment to strategic continuity across its European network carriers. Industry observers will be watching closely to see what strategic priorities she sets for Brussels Airlines and whether her leadership brings the longer-term stability that has eluded the Belgian carrier in recent years.
Lorenza Maggio, appointed CEO of Brussels Airlines by the Lufthansa Group Executive Board. Credit: Oliver Roesler / Brussels Airlines Press Office